A Festive Pairing: Rocky Patel Disciple and Old Elk Cigar Cut

Christmas Day was one of relaxation and simple pleasures. We began our celebrations on Christmas Eve by attending the Vigil Mass for the Nativity of the Lord, followed by a cozy evening with snacks and a few glasses of sherry. The chance to sleep in on Christmas morning is something I've come to enjoy later in life. Yet, I’ll admit I still miss those early mornings when our son was young, eager to unwrap presents and dive into the day.

By lunchtime, the promise of sunshine teased through the clouds, and I decided to indulge in one of my favorite traditions: enjoying an afternoon cigar on the deck.

For this year’s Christmas celebration, I selected a well-rested Rocky Patel Disciple from my humidor, the last of a purchase made in October 2023. It seemed the perfect moment to pair it with something equally special—my backup bottle of Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon. After all, it was a holiday!

The temperature outside hovered around 40°F—not too chilly but far from warm. I queued up some holiday-themed music on satellite radio, bundled up, and settled in for what promised to be an excellent pairing.

The Rocky Patel Disciple is a visually striking cigar. Its elaborate gold-and-black banding, along with the black sleeve covering much of the 6.5 x 52 Toro, made it feel appropriately festive. Once unwrapped, the very dark chocolate-hued San Andrés wrapper was revealed, shiny and marked with a few prominent veins.

Underneath the San Andrés wrapper lie Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos—a combination I often gravitate toward for its rich complexity. Despite the familiar recipe, the Disciple offered a unique smoking experience.

From the first draw, the cigar treated me to a satisfying palette of espresso, dark fruit, and cocoa, accented by black pepper and raisins. It was full-bodied, producing thick, aromatic clouds of smoke that I savored for nearly two hours.

The Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon is the first of several limited bourbons the Fort Collins, Colorado distiller produces designed to pair with a fine cigar. I truly enjoy it and was happy to find a bottle last summer during a trip to replace a bottle emptied earlier the year. Last spring the VA ABC stores put the bottle on a half price clearance sale -- an event I sadly missed. Old Elk has released other cigar-focused bourbons—the Cigar Cut Island Blend and Cigar Cut Punch Cut—but I’ve yet to explore those.

Cigar Cut is a masterful blend of bourbons finished in Sherry, Armagnac, Port, and Cognac casks. On the nose, it offers inviting aromas of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and spiced fruit. The palate reveals layers of dark chocolate, toffee, and baking spices, while subtle notes of tobacco and leather linger on the finish. As a fan of port- and sherry-finished bourbons with cigars, I found the additional influence of the other casks added depth and complexity. The resulting flavor profile paired beautifully with the full-bodied Rocky Patel Disciple, creating a harmonious and satisfying combination.

Halfway through my smoke, the sun finally emerged, bringing a bit of natural warmth to the chilly afternoon. I kept a patio heater on low but appreciated the brightness and extra comfort from the sun. The peacefulness of the moment—sipping bourbon, smoking a superb cigar, and enjoying the music—made for a most peaceful Christmas afternoon.

We rounded off the day by grilling steaks to accompany a holiday favorite: Oyster Casserole. For reasons I can’t explain, we only make this dish at Christmas, but perhaps that’s a tradition worth changing.

We enjoyed a very peaceful, relaxing, and joyful day. Things will get a bit more exciting this weekend when family and friends come by for more feasting and celebrating.

Cheers!